Fashion Design

Work Characteristics
All the countless items in the category of shoes, clothes and accessories that are purchased every year by customers are created and foreseen by fashion designers. Those who design clothes are involved in creating them for men, women and children in different categories. Further there are apparel designers who create products that work in synergy with the main designs such as bags, hats, scarves, eyewear etc. Some designers specialize in any one of these categories while others create in all the categories.

The first step in the process starts with research in trends. This research is sometimes undertaken by designers themselves but mostly it is done by industry trade groups that are dedicated to this purpose.

Once the design is selected a sample of it is created using cheap materials. It is then tried on models to check for changes. Once the right design is reached prototypes of it are created and sent to retail outlets.

Work Environment
Generally designers work out of comfortable surroundings for regular hours. Freelance designers are dictated more by the clients demand. They often work over weekends to meet deadlines and usually have more hectic schedules while creating client orders.

Educational Requirements
Formal training in the disciplines of textile, ornamentation, fabric and fashion trends is necessary. Basic sketching, an eye for color, proportion and balance along with good problem solving and communication skills, sewing and pattern making are all desired skills.

Online Fashion Design Degrees are offered by universities, colleges and private institutes. Usually fashion design degrees are combined with degrees or diplomas in marketing, business or merchandising to be more competitive in the job market. Some vocational and technical schools also offer fashion design courses.

Job Prospects and Salary Expectations
Very few new openings are created each year due to low turnover. Most of the jobs available are in the apparel design and other technical categories such as research and manufacturing which are expected to grow. The best openings are in firms that cater to the mass market.

The lowest salary in this industry at entry level is less than $30,000 annually while in higher levels it goes up as high as $117,120 annually. Median annual earnings for all salaried fashion designers were $62,610 in May 2006. The median annual earnings of salaried fashion designers in the largest industries employing them in May 2006 were:

• Management of companies and enterprises $70,570
• Cut and sew apparel manufacturing 69,810
• Apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers 62,910

Earnings in fashion design industry vary widely based on the employer and the number of years of experience. Starting salaries in fashion design tend to be lower until designers are established and have proved themselves in the industry. Salaried fashion designers usually earn higher and more stable incomes than self-employed or freelance designers. However, a few of the most successful self-employed fashion designers may earn many times the salary of the highest paid salaried designers. Self-employed fashion designers must provide their own benefits and retirement.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.